It has long been theorized that the best way to harness the sun’s energy is to launch solar power systems into orbit. This week, the National Space Society (NSS) announced a new international initiative in which the US, India and other nations will band together to develop space-based solar power. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of the Republic of India and Mr. Mark Hopkins, executive committee chairman of the National Space Society said that the initiative has the potential of solving humanity’s energy needs and greatly mitigating climate change.
Image via NYC Mayor’s Office Flickr
Yesterday, New York City officials released final updates to the city’s hurricane evacuation zones that include an additional 600,000 residents who were not part of the former zoning map. The new system replaces Zones A, B and C, with Zones 1 through 6, and is based on coastal flood risk resulting from storm surges. With the new system in place, the city has more flexibility in targeting areas to evacuate in advance of a predicted storm—helping families that live in the expanded zone areas to prepare for emergencies and stay safe.
The 12-weekend-long G train shutdown scheduled for this summer could end up being somewhat of a blessing in disguise for Long Island City and Greenpoint commuters. Community leaders in Queens and Brooklyn have been rallying for the Citi Bike system to expand to those areas in order to alleviate the lack of transportation while the G train tunnel is under repair, and it seems like their efforts may be rewarded. Citi Bike had originally planned to open stations in these neighborhoods by May, but was unable to due to flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy. Now it looks like the MTA could step in and provide some or all of the extra funds needed to get the blue bikes rolling into the two nabes, and possibly before the G train goes out of commission.
Starbucks is one of the largest global brands based in the US, with revenue generating stores in over 55 countries which took in a whopping $3 billion in the first quarter of 2011 alone. But Starbucks has faced some heat for their less product's less than sustainable side. From the sourcing of coffee beans, to the massive proliferation of paper and plastic coffee cups the finished product is served in, Starbucks faces a wide range of environmental challenges.
On the release of their Global Responsibility Report, we sat down with Starbucks Vice President of Global Responsibility, Ben Packard to talk about Starbucks efforts to face these environmental challenges and cement themselves as a leading sustainable brand. With a wide range of ambitious goals, including aims to make all new construction LEED certified by 2015, and to providing Sustainable Agriculture expertise and assistance in Central and South America, there's a lot to be excited about. Read on for more!
Automotive designer J Mays has become well-known as the design director of Ford Motor Company. Born in rural Oklahoma, Mays started working at his family’s auto parts store at an early age with aspirations of becoming an architect, but eventually found his calling in car design while at the Art Center in Pasadena. An automotive design pioneer with more than 30 years under his belt, Mays has been involved in the design of a number of the car industry’s most well-recognized automobiles, including the VW “New Beetle”, Aston Martin DB9, Land Rover LR3/Discovery, Ford GT, 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2012 Focus (including the Focus EV), and the new green 2013 Ford Fusion—just to name a few! For the last 16 years he’s been leading the charge at Ford as the Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer and has played a critical role in bringing a new generation of stylish, green, high-performance electric and hybrid vehicles to a mainstream market. I recently got the chance to chat with Mays about his monumental career, and I’ve published our interview here. Click ahead to read the entire interview, where Mays touches on his global travels, his design ethos and influences, the current market for hybrid and electric vehicles, and what he sees for the future of zero-emissions vehicles, both at Ford and on a global scale.
If your heart has ever ached looking at pictures of animals pent up in tiny pet store cages or pens at the zoo, prepare to be outraged. CNN and other internet sources have uncovered a souvenir scheme in China that seems like a sick joke, but isn’t. Live animals—turtles, fish, lizards and other amphibians—are being trapped in tiny plastic bags and sold as decorative key chains. Vendors claim that the bag contains crystallized oxygen and nutrients designed to keep the animals alive, but in reality, most die within a day or less due to oxygen deprivation. What’s even more shocking is that thanks to China’s lax animal protection laws, most customers are encouraged to microwave and then eat the animals upon their demise.
Inhabitat is getting our sea legs this morning aboard the world’s largest solar-powered boat, which docked today at the North Cove Marina in downtown Manhattan. NYC is the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar‘s second stop along its expedition across the Atlantic Ocean to study the effects of climate change along the Gulf Stream. Stay tuned here as we post more photos and info from the boat!
People have been turning to nature for inspiration to help them solve problems for millions of years. From buildings and bridges to materials and medicine – examining the design of nature has aided in the development of almost every aspect of our lives, and most of us – often without realizing – benefit from these inspired revelations several times a day. This design concept is most commonly known as biomimicry. Designers, scientist, and engineers continue to study the complex structures found in nature to create greener and more efficient products and process for our homes and lives. In 2005 leading biomimicry expert Janine Benyus founded the Biomimicry Institute to give people the resources they needed to further their studies and understanding. Read on to learn more about how nature has inspired some truly innovative new products.
We recently told you about Moto Electra‘s bold attempt to drive an electric motorcycle across the United States in just 3 days – and on June 6th the team accomplished this world record-breaking feat! Battling temperatures over 100 degrees, punishing rain and bike repairs, the racing team hit their goal while showing the world the potential of electric motors.
Interest in biomimicry has grown tremendously over the past few years as professions ranging from architects to doctors, engineers to climate scientists look to nature for solutions to some of the world’s most complex problems. If you want to learn more about the ways that nature can help us to solve problems and revolutionize our world, then check out the Biomimicry Education Summit and first Global Conference hosted by the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute at the University of Massachusetts in Boston from June 21-33rd. This year’s program will be led by scientist, author, and Biomimicry Institute co-founder Janine Benyus, who has drawn together a team of thought-leaders to share new concepts, resources and developments in the field of biomimicry. Don’t miss out on your chance to see how these cutting-edge ideas inspired by Mother Nature can shape the future. Inhabitat will be there and we’re so excited to take part in this groundbreaking event!
Welcome to Inhabitat, your online guide to the best green design ideas, innovations and inspiration to build a cleaner, brighter, and better future.
